JPH06206305A - Equipment and method to print polychromatic container main body blank in single path - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To realize a multicolor printing in a single pass by a method wherein main body blanks are cut from a sheet and fed in two parallel lanes to a rotating impression cylinder and printed in respective colors and cured through inking unit/ultraviolet lamp pairs in an apparatus for printing aerosol cans and the like. CONSTITUTION: A magnetic metal sheet 4 is fed to a scroll shear slitter 3 so as to be cut in intermediate fragments 6 and then in main body blanks 9. The resultant blanks are alternately fed with a transporting unit 8 in an input hopper 12 so as to feed in two rows with a double lane input conveyor 15 into a printing press 13. In the printing press 13, the blank is carried by an impression cylinder 14 so as to be successively printed with a large number of inking units 18. At every printing, the ink is cured by ultraviolet rays so as to perform the printing with a next color. The printed blank is coated with varnish at a varnish coating unit 17 and dried by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Finally, the blank is discharged with a conveying unit 10 onto a pallet 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an apparatus for printing multicolor decorative containers such as aerosol cans and the like. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a high speed printing press capable of printing individual can body blanks in a variety of colors in a single pass press.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, metal containers for the retail market have been of the "two-piece" or "three-piece" format. Typically, aluminum two-piece cans have traditionally been used as beverage containers with low strength requirements. Such cans are formed by joining a stretched and ironed cylindrical body to a circular lid. Two-piece cans are described in US Pat.
No. 3,028 (Brigham), No. 3,227,07
0 (Brigham et al.), 3,766,851 (Sirvet et al.) And 4,138,941 (Mc
Individually decorated in a cylindrical configuration using a lithographic printing press, as disclosed in Millin et al.).
In such a press, a large number of inking units
Located around the central blanket cylinder. Each inking unit transfers a portion of the image printed in monochrome to a blanket cylinder, followed by a single pass to transfer the entire image to the can surface. After printing, the can is cured by baking in an oven. To prevent the colors from mixing in the blanket, each color must be separated from the adjacent colors by a blank space called a "trap line". Three-piece cans have been used for many forms of food and aerosol containers where strength is extremely demanding. Three-piece cans are generally made of steel and are formed by attaching a circular top and a circular bottom to a cylindrical body portion. The body portion is formed by bending a flat rectangular plate, called a body blank, into a cylinder and welding overlapping vertical edges of the body blank to form a joint. The decorations for the three-sided can are printed on the multiple body blank sheet, leaving the flat configuration.

So far, body blanks for three-piece cans have been
It has been believed that printing a large number of container images in a rectangular array on a large flat metal sheet results in efficient printing in high speed production lines. After printing, the large sheets are cut into individual body sheets and each body blank is
Used to form a can body.

Individual printing of each can body individually in a high speed production environment was considered economically unfeasible.

In the traditional three-sided can printing method, large flat sheets were printed by passing them through a two color lithographic printing press. The press used two printing plate cylinders, each containing a portion of the image printed in monochrome ink. The ink from both printing plate cylinders was applied to a common blanket cylinder to apply the two color image to the sheet in a single pass. The multiple images to be printed were placed side by side on the printing plate so that a row of container images was printed with each revolution of the blanket cylinder. The partially printed sheet was then baked in an oven to cure the ink.

After printing with the first two colors, the printing plate was changed to a printing plate containing a portion of the image printed in two different colors, and the press was supplied with new color inks. The sheet was then passed through the press in a second pass and rebaked in an oven to cure the newly applied ink. This process is repeated until all the required color has been applied to the sheet. The end result was a large sheet containing a large number of can decorations in a rectangular array of rows and columns. After printing, the sheets were cut lengthwise and widthwise using a splitter to form individual body blanks formed into cylindrical container bodies.
Since the ink is cured between each pass, it was not necessary to form the aesthetically inferior trap lines required in the two-sided can printing process described above to prevent ink mixing. .

Unfortunately, the traditional approach to body blank printing suffered from various drawbacks. First, it is difficult to maintain a uniform pressure in the blank cylinder across such wide sheets. As a result, the image on the body blank cut from the central portion of the sheet is often brighter than that cut from the edges, and when the cans are displayed on supermarket shelves, there is a lack of uniformity in product appearance. occured.

Second, many cans require printing in eight colors, thus requiring four separate passes of the press. This causes significant downtime to change the printing plate and clean the pre-used ink.

Third, the printing plate and sheet registration must be reset for each pass so that the image printed in each pass may not be accurately registered with the preprinted image. . This problem creates great inefficiency because when the misregistration condition is discovered after the third or fourth pass, the entire sheet is discarded and the process has to start over from the beginning.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an efficient and fast method of printing a body blank, in which all colors are applied in a single pass so that the body blank is registered to the printing press only once. . Such a method allows printing of individual body blanks, so that (i) a uniform pressure of the blanket cylinder on the body blank is maintained, (ii) printing problems and unnecessary additional printing. Before being detected, (ii
i) If typographical errors occur, only the improperly printed body blanks need to be discarded.

It is known to print a sheet of paper in a four-color printing press using a central rotary cylinder around which a number of inking units containing different color inks are arranged--US Pat. , 936, 211 (Pe
nsavecchia). Such presses use cam actuated clamps to grip a sheet of paper against a impression cylinder that sequentially carries the sheet under each inking unit. It is most efficient for such a paper press to print a large number of document pages on a large paper sheet, followed by cutting into individual pages, as is the case with the presses described above for printing body blanks. It was considered. Thus, such paper presses do not solve the above-mentioned problem of lack of print uniformity across the width of wide sheets. However, such presses allow printing of multiple colors in a single pass around the impression cylinder without the need to repeatedly re-register the sheets.

Unfortunately, paper sheet printing presses are not suitable for printing metal sheets such as container body blanks for several reasons. First, there is no provision in such a press to cure each layer of ink before the sheet passes under the next inking unit. This does not present a problem when printing a sheet of paper, as no curing is required to prevent smearing. However, the ink applied to the metal substrate must be hardened before passing under the next inking unit to prevent ink smearing and mixing. It has always been believed that this problem precluded the use of such rotary presses in high speed metal printing operations due to the inability to pass metal to the curing oven between each inking unit.

A second problem arises with the tightening of the metal body blank against the impression cylinder. Due to the great flexibility, the sheet of paper is easily flattened against the impression cylinder. As a result, such presses use a single clamp to secure each sheet of paper to the impression cylinder. However, the metal body blank is rigid and cannot be stably fixed to the prepared printing cylinder.

Third, such a press drives a sheet of paper around a curved guide roller and uses the roller to engage the sheet with a clamp. Unfortunately, the metal plate is too stiff to be oriented on the impression cylinder in this way.

Fourth, incorporating more than four inking units into such a press is difficult, resulting in a limited number of colors applied in a single pass.

It is therefore desirable to provide an efficient high speed press for printing individual body blanks individually,
In this case all colors are applied in a single pass of the impression cylinder, (i) developing a method to cure the ink when the body blank passes between the inking units, and (ii) the impression cylinder. To develop a method for securely tightening the body blank with respect to (iii)
Develop a method to properly orient the body blank with respect to the impression cylinder so that the body blank is registered and clamped in place for all overlying decorations, thereby ensuring accurate placement of the ink deposits. It overcomes the problem of paper press.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for printing multicolor container body blanks in a single pass.

It is another object of the invention that the apparatus and method can print individual body blanks individually in high speed operation.

These and other objects include (i) means for cutting a metal sheet into a plurality of substantially flat body blanks, and (ii) a printing press for printing an image on each of the body blanks. (Iii) means for transporting the body blank from the cutting means to the printing press, the apparatus for producing a printed metal body blank adapted to be formed into a container. The printing press comprises (i) a rotary printing cylinder adapted to carry each of the body blanks in a substantially circular path, and (ii)
A plurality of stationary ink units arranged around the periphery of the printing cylinder, whereby an impression cylinder is a plurality of stationary ink units that carry a sheet under each ink unit, and (iii) a printing cylinder. And a plurality of stationary curing means each disposed adjacent to each of the inking units, such that the impression cylinder causes the printing cylinder to place a sheet under each of the curing means. Carry. The impression cylinder has both mechanical and magnetic means for holding each of the body blanks against the surroundings.

The present invention also provides a method of forming a metal body blank suitable for being printed in a plurality of colors and formed on a container body, the method comprising: (i) cutting a metal sheet into a plurality of body blanks; ii) transporting the body blanks to a printing cylinder and sequentially fixing each of the body blanks; and (iii) rotating the printing cylinder to sequentially load the fixed body blanks on the first ink unit. A step of applying a first color ink to the main body blank, and (iv) rotating the printing cylinder to sequentially carry the fixed main body blank from the first ink unit to the first curing means. At least partially curing the first color ink applied by (v) sequentially from the first curing means to the second ink unit. The step of applying the second color ink to the main body blank by rotating the printing cylinder to carry the constant main body blank, and (vi) carrying the fixed main body blank sequentially from the second ink unit to the second curing means. To rotate the printing cylinder to at least partially cure the second color ink applied by the second inking unit,
(Vii) sequentially releasing the body blanks from the printing cylinder and transporting the body blanks.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements and in FIG. 1 a body portion 1 of a prior art three-piece can is shown. As previously mentioned, the body portion is made by forming a flat printed body blank 32 into a cylindrical configuration and welding a closed cylinder along the overlapping joint 2.

FIG. 2 shows the overall layout of the production line according to the invention for producing the can body part 1. About 0.
A sheet 4 of magnetic metal, such as 010 inch thick steel, is fed to a conventional scroll shear splitter 3. As is conventional, the sheet 4 is coated with a white base coat on the outside and lacquered on the inside before it is sent to the splitter 3. The splitter 3 first cuts the sheet 4 longitudinally into intermediate strips 6 and then strips the strips laterally into individual unprinted body blanks 9--ie width W and can diameter corresponding to the can height. It has two sets of rotary cutting heads (not shown) for cutting into rectangular plates having a length L of The size of the body blank depends on the application. Generally, body blanks do not exceed about 10 inches wide by 10 inches long. Each body blank, after processing, forms the single can body 1 shown in FIG.

The unprinted body blanks 9 from the splitter 4 are transported via a body blank transport unit 8 having a robot translator which alternately places the body blanks 9 in two input hoppers 12. As is conventional, the body blank 9 is extracted by vacuum from the bottom of the input hopper 12, deposited on the dual lane input conveyor 15 and transported to the printing press 13 shown in FIG. In accordance with the present invention, the body blanks 9 are extracted in pairs from the input hopper 12, so that two parallel streams of body blanks, as best shown in FIG. 4, are discussed below by the input conveyor 15. It is transported to the printing cylinder 14 of the printing press 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 8 rotates the body blank by 90 ° so that the edges that ultimately form the overlap joint 2 shown in FIG.
When directed and clamped against the impression cylinder 14, it forms the leading edge 64 of each body blank. After being carried by the impression cylinder 14 in a circular pass making about 270 °, the print body blank 32 is unclamped and removed from the impression cylinder to the dual lane vacuum conveyor 24.
Guided to be removed.

Returning to FIG. 2, the printed main body blank 32 is shown.
From the vacuum conveyor 24 to the dual lane conveyor 16 oriented at 90 ° to the discharge conveyor 24 to transport the printed body blank 32 to the varnishing unit 17, where the varnish is conventional. The top layer is applied. After the varnish was applied and immediately after it was cured by an ultraviolet lamp (not shown in FIG. 2), the printed body blanks 32 are transported via the conveyor 19 to the body blank stack and the transfer unit 10, where the transfer unit 1
0 places a stack of body blanks on the pallet 11. The take-out system 26 transports the print body blank 32 to a can body manufacturing machine (not shown) that forms the can body 1 shown in FIG.

A printing press 13 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The central printing cylinder 14 includes a support frame 20.
Mounted rotatably at and driven by a motor and gear system (not shown). A number of inking units 18 are supported on the frame 20 and are arranged around the printing cylinder 14. One of the inking units 18 is shown in detail in FIG. As in the conventional case, the ink unit includes the ink reservoir 33, the inker roll 60, the doctor roll 62, the ink distribution roll 34, and the vibration roll 6.
2 and the forming roll 63, by which the ink from the sump is transferred to the printing plate cylinder 35. According to an important aspect of the invention, a photosensitive ink is used in the inking unit 18, so that curing is achieved by UV light. Such ink is
Elk Grove Village, Illinoi
s INX, Inc. Earned from.

As shown in FIG. 6, the printing plate cylinder 3
5 is the same two conventional dry offset lithographic printing plates 5
Including 4. Alternatively, lithographic, letterpress, gravure or flexographic printing plates are also used. Advantageously, the plate cylinder 35 is magnetic so that the printing plate 54 is
It is held in position by magnetic attraction, which simplifies plate exchange. As shown in FIG. 7, a series of pins 56
It projects outwardly from the surface of the plate cylinder 35 and is adapted to mate with an interference fit hole 55 in the printing plate 54, which ensures proper registration of the cylinder and plate. Each pair of printing plates 54 carries an image consisting of a portion of the label printed in monochrome. According to the invention, the body blank 9 is carried by the printing cylinder 14 in two parallel streams as described above, so that each printing plate 54
Contains two identical images side by side.

As shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with the present invention, each inking unit 18 has its own blanket cylinder 36. As is conventional, each blanket cylinder 36 is fitted with a flexible blanket 53 adapted to transfer ink from the printing plate 54 to the body blank 9, as shown in FIG. Both the plate cylinder 35 and the blanket cylinder 36 are driven by a gear train coupled to the gears of the impression cylinder 14, so that the surface velocities of all three cylinders are the same, which ensures that there is proper alignment between the cylinders. Guarantees good rolling contact.

During operation of the press 13, the body blank 9
Despite the action of the feeding mechanism, sometimes it is not extracted from the input hopper 12. As a result, there is a gap in the flow of the body blank sent to the impression cylinder 14 and the blanket cylinder 36 will transfer ink directly to the impression cylinder surface if no adjustment action is taken. This situation is avoided by the use of a conventional slow-off mechanism that causes blanket cylinder 36 to be retracted instantaneously from contact with the impression cylinder. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the plate cylinder 35 and the blanket cylinder 36 use an eccentric mount 37 to
It is supported by the frame 20. Lugs 43 are attached to the eccentric mount 37. The lug 43 is a piston 41 of a pneumatic cylinder 40 attached to a support frame by a bracket 42 by a link mechanism 38 and a lever 39.
Is connected to. When a sensor (not shown) detects the absence of the body blank 9 from the input conveyor 15, it activates the pneumatic cylinder 40 and pivots the plate and blanket cylinders 35 and 36 in the eccentric mount 37 at the appropriate time. A signal is generated so that the blanket cylinder is instantaneously retracted from contact with the impression cylinder.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, eight inking units 18 are used so that eight different colors are applied in a single pass through the printing press 13. However, the number of inking units 18 is increased or decreased depending on the number of colors printed.

The ultraviolet lamp 21 is used for each ink unit 1.
Adjacent to 8--i.e., Immediately downstream--on the support frame 20. Each UV lamp 21 shown in FIG. 8 has an arc-operated tubular lamp bulb oriented transverse to the direction of movement of the body blank 9.
The lamp bulb is surrounded by a parabolic reflector 75 adapted to focus the UV light 76 onto the print body blank 32, which causes photopolymerization to cure the ink rapidly.
The shutter 72 is slidably attached below the reflecting mirror 75. A shutter 72 actuated by a Bimba air cylinder 73 supplied with pressurized air 74 prevents UV light from reaching the impression cylinder when the press is temporarily stopped. The cooling water is fed through the inlet 19
It is supplied to the shutter 72 and the lamp housing. Similarly positioned outlet on opposite side of ramp 21 (not shown)
Releases water. In the preferred embodiment, the lamp 21 is about 20 inches long and has an output of about 400 watts / inch. The inventors have dimensioned such lamps to properly cure the ink at body blank speeds of up to 400 feet / minute. 3 shows all of the UV lamps 21 mounted around the impression cylinder 14, the lamps of the last inking unit 18 are also mounted on the output conveyor 24, not around the impression cylinder.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printing cylinder 14
Are a number of body blank support segments 28 spaced evenly around the perimeter and separated by slots 27.
Have. In a preferred embodiment each segment 2
8 has a length and width sufficient to carry two body blanks 9 side by side. Although the impression cylinder 14 is narrowed or widened to accommodate more or less body blanks 9, two body blanks are optimal and the increased widths of the impression cylinder 14 and the blanket cylinder 36 are as described above. As such, it is believed that this leads to non-uniformity in the produced image between cans, as has been annoying with approaches known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 9, each impression cylinder slot 27 includes a conventional cam actuated clamp assembly.
The clamp assembly consists of two clamps 47 fixedly mounted side by side on the shaft 31 supported by a sleeve bearing 46 (only one clamp is shown in FIG. 9 for clarity). Each clamp 47 has a jaw 48 and is adapted to secure the leading edge 64 of the body blank 9 to the perimeter of the impression cylinder 14 as shown in FIG. 6 when the clamp is closed. The clamp 47 is biased by the spring 49 into the closed position. As shown in FIG. 9, the end of the shaft 31 is connected to the cam follower 29 by the lever 30. Cam follower 29
The radial outer displacement of causes the shaft 31 and clamp 47 to rotate, overcomes the spring 49 and opens the clamp jaw 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stationary cam 23 has three
It is mounted on a support frame 20 adjacent to the impression cylinder 14 at the hour and 6 o'clock positions. As shown in FIG. 9, the cam follower 29 moves on the cam surface 44 when the slot 27 reaches the cam position. Cam surface 4
Rise 45 at 4 displaces cam follower 29 radially outwards, resulting in jaws 48 of clamp 47.
Is opened at 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock, which allows
As discussed below, it facilitates the receipt and release of the body blank 9 from the feed and output conveyors 15 and 16, respectively. Once the slot 27 has rotated past the 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, the cam follower will engage the cam surface 44.
Passing through the trailing edge and the clamping jaws 48 have springs 49
Closes again automatically under the force of.

As mentioned above, due to the rigidity, the metal body blank 9 cannot be held securely in the printing cylinder 14 only by the clamps 47 at each of the leading edges 64. Consequently, in accordance with the present invention, a large number of tubular magnets 50 are disposed immediately below the surface around the impression cylinder downstream of each slot 27. As shown in FIG. 6, the magnet 50 is attached to the rear edge 6 of the body blank 9 with respect to the printing cylinder by magnetic force.
Adapted to fix 5.

According to the invention, two conventional feed conveyors are adapted for transporting the unprinted body blank 9 from the input hopper 12 to the impression cylinder 14, one conveyor of the body blank 9 shown in FIG. Used for each of the two parallel streams. One such conveyor 15 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Conveyor 15
Comprises a sliding surface 51 on which the body blank 9 slides in a pass that abuts the periphery of the impression cylinder 14. After being extracted from the input hopper 12, the body blank 9
Initially driven by a dog 59 which bears against a trailing edge 59 of the body blank, as shown in FIG.
The dog is driven by the chain conveyor 52 so that the speed of the body blank is faster than the surface speed around the impression cylinder. The dog 59 is rotatably attached to and mounted on the support rail 57 that maintains the raised position shown on the right side of FIG. Cylinder 14 by printing the body blank
After driving in close proximity with the dogs 59, they slide from the ends of the rails 57 and rotate them downwards to retract from engagement with the body blank.

When the dog 59 is retracted, the reciprocating register slide 66 moves to a position behind the body blank 9. As best shown in FIG. 11, the pawl 58 on the slide 66 engages the body blank trailing edge 59 and, as previously described, below the clamp jaw 48 which is momentarily opened by the cam 23 at the 6 o'clock position. Place it on.
The pawl 58 slows down the body blank 9 so that its speed is the same as the speed of the impression cylinder surface and clamp. The jaw 48, when closed, engages the front edge of the body blank, and further rotation of the impression cylinder 14 pulls the body blank 9 around the cylinder and the magnet 50.
Gradually approach the body blank. When the gap between the magnet 50 and the body blank 9 is sufficiently reduced and the exact amount depends on the strength of the magnetic attraction and the weight of the body blank, the rear part of the body blank is pulled up from the slide surface 51, and the figure It is mounted around the printing cylinder 14 as shown in FIG.

The continued rotation of the printing cylinder 14 sequentially carries the pair of body blanks 9 under each ink unit 18 and UV lamp 21. As a result, the blanket cylinder 36 of each inking unit 18 transfers the image forming a portion of the can label in the particular color ink to the body blank, with each color ink image being substantially juxtaposed to the other color images. And produce a multicolored label. After coating, each color ink image is formed by the ultraviolet lamp 2 adjacent to the ink unit 18.
Upon exposure to UV light from 1, it is instantly at least partially cured. This curing is accomplished before the body blank 9 passes under the next inking unit 18, and it is important to ensure that there is no image smearing or ink transfer between the inking units 18.

By the time the body blanks reach the 3 o'clock position, they are in each ink unit 18 and UV lamp 2.
It is carried under one. In this respect, the second cam 2
3 causes the clamps 47 to reopen instantaneously, which causes the wedge-shaped device 25 to remove the printed body blanks 32 from the impression cylinder 14 and to remove them from the conventional vacuum conveyor 24, as shown in FIG. Stack on top. The conveyor 24 directs the printed body blank for subsequent processing, as described above.

In order to produce body blanks in an economical way, the line speed must be at least 400 feet / minute. In a preferred embodiment, the impression cylinder is about 5 feet in diameter and rotates at about 25 RPM so that the linear velocity of the body blank 9 is
About 400 feet / minute / lane. As previously mentioned, the UV lamp 21 is capable of curing ink at a body blank speed of 400 feet / minute.

The printing of body blanks at the above line speed of 400 feet / minute and two parallel streams is about 800.
The body blank / min throughput is printed by each dual lane press 13. Thus, with the present invention, the previously inadmissible inability to print body blanks on a fast-moving individual basis has been overcome.

The printing uniformity between the body blanks produced by the device according to the invention is high, the short span of the printing plate and blanket cylinders 35, 36 being uniform between the cylinders and between the plate cylinder and the body blank. Guarantees a high contact pressure. Furthermore, since each body blank is registered with the impression cylinder only once, the accuracy of the relationship between the superimposed images of different colors depends only on the accuracy with which the alignment of the various components of the press is set and maintained. Limited. As a result, printing problems due to the accumulation of registration tolerances after repeated registrations are eliminated. further,
If printing problems occur, they are quickly detected because only the finished body blanks exit the press. In this way, the press needs to be stopped immediately and only a few body blanks already improperly printed need to be discarded. This is in contrast to the conventional approach in which, after a few passes of the press, the entire sheet of body blank must be discarded when a typographical error is detected.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention using coil stock. In this embodiment, a continuous strip 67 of stock of one body blank width is formed,
It is stored in the rewinding coil 68. The strips 67, rather than the individual body blank strips, extend from the unwind coil 68 to the press 7
It is transported to the 0 printing cylinder 71. In the printing cylinder 71, the strip 67 causes the printing cylinder 71 to move due to its tension.
Similar to that discussed with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, except that there are no slots, clamps or magnets due to being in contact with the perimeter of the.

As the impression cylinder 71 rotates, the impression cylinder 71 carries strips 67 sequentially under the inking unit 18 and the UV lamp 21, as discussed with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. . Each ink unit 18 sequentially applies a single color ink image vertically arranged along the strip 67, and the ink images of each color are sequentially juxtaposed with the other color images to produce a multicolor label. Each UV lamp 21 at least partially sequentially cures each color ink image immediately after application and before the image is transferred to the next ink unit 18, as in the previous embodiment. The printing strips are transported from the press 70 to a winding coil 69 for storage before being transversely cut into individual body blanks.

As shown in FIG. 13, according to this embodiment of the invention, three base coated inkers 78 with an UV cure lamp 18 and an inner can surface lacquer coater 80 are provided.
Is arranged between the rewinding coil 68 and the impression cylinder 71, so that the raw stock is stored in the rewinding coil 68. Further, the outer can surface varnish coater 82 with another UV curing lamp 18 is used for the printing cylinder 7
1 and the winding coil 69, so that
Finishing strips 68 are fed directly from take-up coil 69 to a splitter to form individual body blanks.

As will be appreciated, the synchronization of the base coater 78, the lacquer coater 80, the inking unit 18 and the varnish coater 82 is extremely important to prevent wasting metal when using the embodiment shown in FIG. is important.
In the past, such synchronization has been achieved with gear systems. Unfortunately, this approach suffered from the drawback that only a limited number of gear ratios were available, but the printing press 70 is capable of printing body blanks over a wide range of lengths to accommodate various can diameters. Must be able to-
-That is, the press must be able to synchronize over a wide range of repeat lengths. According to the invention, this synchronization is
Conveniently achieved using a servo drive system.
Although the present invention has been discussed with reference to body blanks forming each one can, long or wide body blanks may also be used, printing two or more cans on each body blank, printing body blanks. It can also be re-cut into individual can sizes after. Further, the invention can be practiced using dry and wet offset lithographic processes, or the invention can be practiced using letterpress, gravure or flexographic printing. Thus, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention, and, therefore, as an indication of the scope of the invention, reference may be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing specification. It must be.

The embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

1. A method of forming a metal body blank suitable for being printed in a plurality of colors and formed on a container body, comprising: (a) cutting a sheet of the metal into a plurality of the body blanks; and (b) the body blank. To the printing cylinder and sequentially fixing each of the body blanks, and (c) rotating the printing cylinder to sequentially pass through the first ink unit to carry the fixed body blank. The step of applying the first color ink to the main body blank, and (d) sequentially passing through the first curing device to carry the fixed main body blank,
Rotating the printing cylinder to at least partially cure the first color ink applied by the first ink unit; and (e) sequentially from the first curing device to the second ink unit. Rotating the printing cylinder to carry the fixed body blank to apply the second color ink to the body blank, and (f) sequentially pass through the second curing device to fix the fixed body blank. Rotating the impression cylinder to carry it so as to at least partially cure the second color ink applied by the second inking unit; and (g) sequentially remove the body blank from the impression cylinder. Release and transport the body blank.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein fixing the body blank to the impression cylinder comprises magnetically attracting the body blank to the impression cylinder.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the magnetic force is generated by a plurality of magnets disposed on the impression cylinder.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein securing the body blank to the impression cylinder further comprises clamping each edge of the blank around the impression cylinder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second curing devices each comprise an ultraviolet lamp.

6. At least partially curing the first and second color inks includes rotating the impression cylinder to carry the body blank under the UV lamp at a rate of at least about 400 feet / minute. The method according to claim 5.

7. Before the step of releasing the body blank,
The fixed body blank is sequentially processed from the second curing device to the third,
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of rotating the impression cylinder to carry the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth inking units and the curing device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the body blanks is adapted to be formed into a unique container.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the body blank into a cylindrical container body after transporting the body blank from the impression cylinder. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein transporting the body blank to the impression cylinder and carrying the body blank comprises transporting and carrying the body blank in at least two substantially parallel streams.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein cutting the metal sheet into a body blank comprises cutting into approximately rectangular pieces that do not exceed about 10 inches wide by 10 inches long. 12. An apparatus for producing a printed metal plate adapted to be formed into a container, comprising: (a) a cutter for cutting a metal sheet into a plurality of substantially flat plates, and (b) in each of the plates. A printing press for printing an image, (i) a rotary printing cylinder adapted to carry each of the plates in a generally circular path, and (ii) arranged around the circumference of the printing cylinder, This allows
The impression cylinder carries the sheet under each of the inking units, each of the inking units comprising a plurality of stationary inking units adapted to apply an ink image to the plate; and (iii) the impression cylinder. A plurality of curing devices for curing the ink applied by the ink units disposed around the perimeter of, one of the curing devices being disposed adjacent to each of the ink units, A printing press having a plurality of curing devices carrying the plate under each of the curing devices.

13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of the curing devices comprises an ultraviolet lamp.

14. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the impression cylinder has both mechanical and magnetic means for holding each of the plates against the periphery of the impression cylinder.

15. A transporter for transporting the plate from the cutter to the printing press.
The device according to 4.

16. (A) each of the plates has a leading edge delivered to the impression cylinder by the transporter,
(B) the mechanical holding device comprises a plurality of clamps for clamping the leading edge of the plate around the printing cylinder, and (c) the magnetic holding device around the printing cylinder. 16. The device of claim 15 comprising a magnet disposed underneath.

17. The impression cylinder is a) a plurality of segments delivered around the periphery of the impression cylinder, each of the segments being adapted to carry at least one of the plates; and b) 13. A device according to claim 12 having clamps for each of the segments for clamping at least one of the plates to the respective segment.

18. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the clamps can be in a closed and open position, each of the clamps is normally biased closed and is actuated to the open position by a first cam.

19. The first cam has a cam surface and is disposed adjacent to the impression cylinder, wherein each of the clamps is adapted to bias the clamp to the open position when following the cam surface. 20. The device of claim 18, comprising a cam follower that is customized.

20. a) a feeder for feeding the plate to the clamp at a first peripheral position around the printing press, and b) a removal for removing the plate from the segment at a second peripheral position around the printing press. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a container.

21. The first cam and the clamp are the first
A second cam adapted to open each of the clamps when the position is reached and further adapted to open each of the clamps when the clamp reaches a second circumferential position. 21. The device according to claim 20.

22. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the remover comprises a wedge adapted to be interposed between the segment and the plate.

23. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the plates is adapted to be uniquely formed of the container.

24. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the cutter comprises a splitter adapted to cut the sheet lengthwise and widthwise.

25. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a conveyor for transporting the plates from the cutter to the printing press.

26. The conveyor is adapted to transport the plate to the impression cylinder in a plurality of parallel streams, wherein the impression cylinder carries one of the sheets from each of the streams juxtaposed along the circular path. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is adapted to pass through a plurality of sheets simultaneously under each of the inking units and each of the curing devices.

27. a) an additional inking unit arranged around the perimeter of the impression cylinder adapted to apply the last ink image to the plate; and b) to cure the ink applied by the additional inking unit. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising an additional curing device disposed on the conveyor.

28. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the inking units is adapted to transfer an image to the plate using a lithographic ink.

29. Each of the inking units comprises: a) an ink reservoir adapted to contain a lithographic ink; b) a first cylinder fitted with at least one printing plate; and c) inking the printing plate from the ink reservoir. 29. Apparatus according to claim 28, comprising an ink distribution roll for transfer, and d) a second cylinder fitted with a flexible blanket.

30. A printing press for printing an image on a metal container body blank prior to forming the body blank into a cylinder, the image being formed from a plurality of colors in a printing press comprising: a) a support and b) A plurality of inking units disposed around a support, each of the inking units using UV curable ink to apply a portion of the image printed in a particular color to the metal body blank. A plurality of adapted inking units, and c) a UV lamp for each of the inking units disposed around the support, each of the lamps being disposed adjacent to each of the inking units. An ultraviolet lamp, d) a rotatably mounted to the support and adapted to carry the plate in a circular path substantially through each of the inking unit and the lamp. A cylinder, whereby the portion of the image applied to the body blank in each one of the colors is applied to the body blank in another color of the color before applying the portion of the image to the body blank. , A printing press that is at least partially cured.

31. 31. A printing press according to claim 30, wherein the impression cylinder has both mechanical and magnetic devices around it for holding the body blank.

32. Each of the body blanks has an edge,
31. A printing press as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a conveyor for delivering said body blank along a path to said printing cylinder, whereby said edge forms the leading edge of said body blank.

33. The impression cylinder has a plurality of laterally oriented slots evenly distributed around its perimeter and clamps have open and closed positions disposed within each of the slots, each of the clamps 33. A print according to claim 32 having a jaw adapted to engage the leading edge of the body blank and hold the leading edge against the periphery of the impression cylinder when in the closed position. press.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising a spring for each of the clamps to bias the respective clamp into the closed position, whereby force is required to place the clamps in the open position. Printing press mentioned.

35. a) a cam follower coupled to each of the clamps, each of the cam followers being adapted to apply a force to overcome the spring force and opening the respective clamp when the cam follower is displaced. A cam follower in position, and b) a cam mounted on the support frame, having a cam surface, the cam being located on the support frame so that the cam surface has a respective clamp 35. The printing press of claim 34, further comprising a cam that displaces the cam follower when the conveyor rotates the body blank to a position proximate to the path for delivering it to the impression cylinder.

36. 36. A printing press according to claim 35, wherein the path through which the conveyor delivers the body blank to the impression cylinder is approximately in contact with the periphery of the impression cylinder.

37. Each of the body blanks has a leading and trailing edge, and further comprises: a) a plurality of clamps arranged around the perimeter of the impression cylinder, each of the clamps being in front of each of the body blanks. A plurality of clamps adapted to secure an edge to the impression cylinder; b) (i) a slide surface adapted to carry the body blank along a path towards the impression cylinder;
(Ii) a first for driving the body blank along the slide surface towards the impression cylinder at a first speed.
A first driver, the first driver being adapted to drive the body blank into engagement with the clamp when the clamp is in a predetermined peripheral position; and (iii) a second speed. A second driver for driving the body blank toward the impression cylinder along the slide surface, the second driver adapted to drive the body blank in engagement with the first driver 31. A printing press according to claim 30, further comprising an input conveyor having a second driver that is driven.

38. The printing press of claim 37, wherein the first speed is approximately equal to the ambient speed of the impression cylinder and the second speed is greater than the first speed.

39. The printing press of claim 37, wherein each of the clamps is opened by a cam when in the predetermined position.

40. 38. The printing press of claim 37, wherein the second driver comprises a chain conveyor having means for engaging the trailing edge of each of the body blanks.

41. The printing press of claim 40, wherein the engagement device comprises a dog.

42. The printing press of claim 40, wherein the first driver has pawls for engaging the trailing edge of each of the body blanks.

43. 38. A printing press according to claim 37, wherein the sliding surface is oriented substantially tangential to the periphery of the impression cylinder.

44. The impression cylinder has a magnet mounted downstream of each of the clamps, where the sliding surface causes the impression cylinder to move to the clamp after one of the clamps engages one of the body blanks. The magnets downstream are gradually brought closer to the body blank.
The printing press according to 7.

45. A printing press for printing an image on a metal container body blank prior to forming the body blank into a cylinder, the image being formed from a plurality of colors in a printing press comprising: a) a support and b) A plurality of inking units arranged around a support, each of the inking units being adapted to apply a portion of the image to the metal body blank for printing in a particular color; C) a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on the support and adapted to carry the plate in a circular pass through each of the inking units sequentially, d) around the perimeter of the printing cylinder. A plurality of clamps, each clamp being adapted to secure a first portion of each of the body blanks to the impression cylinder. A press assembly, and e) a magnet assembly adapted to secure a second portion of each of the body blanks to the impression cylinder.

46. Further comprising an ultraviolet lamp for each of the inking units disposed around the support,
Each of the lamps is positioned adjacent to each of the inking units and the impression cylinder is adapted to carry the plate in a circular pass sequentially through each of the lamps, whereby 5. The portion of the image applied to the body blank in each one color is cured prior to applying the portion of the image in another color of the color to the body blank.
The printing press according to item 5.

47. 46. The printing press of claim 45, wherein the magnet assembly comprises a first magnet for each of the clamps, each of the first magnets mounted to the impression cylinder downstream of the respective clamp. .

48. 49. The body of claim 47, wherein each of the body blanks has a leading and trailing edge, and the first and second portions of each of the body blanks respectively comprise the leading and trailing edges.
Printing press described in.

49. 48. The printing press of claim 47, wherein each of the first magnets is disposed radially inside the perimeter of the impression cylinder.

50. 50. The printing press of claim 49, wherein each of the first magnets extends substantially the width of the impression cylinder.

51. 48. The magnet assembly of claim 47 further comprising a second magnet for each of the clamps, each of the second magnets being mounted to the impression cylinder downstream of the periphery of each of the first magnets. Printing press mentioned.

52. In a method suitable for forming a metal body blank to be printed in multiple colors and forming on a container body, a) forming a metal strip, and b) transporting the strip to a printing cylinder. And c) applying a plurality of first color ink images in sequence to the vertically arranged strips by rotating the printing cylinder to carry the strips under the first ink unit. And d) rotating the impression cylinder to carry the strip portion onto which the first image is sequentially applied from the first inking unit to a first curing device, thereby causing the first color ink to rotate. At least partially curing the image, and e) carrying a strip portion to which the first ink image is sequentially applied from the first curing device to the second ink unit.
Sequentially applying a plurality of second color ink images substantially juxtaposed to the first image by rotating the impression cylinder; f) sequentially from the second ink unit to a second curing device. The second cylinder is rotated by rotating the printing cylinder to carry the strip portion coated with the first and second images.
53. A method comprising at least partially curing a colored ink image, and g) transporting the strip from the impression cylinder. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the body blank has a width, where the width of the strip of material is approximately equal to the width of the body blank.

54. 53. The method of claim 52, further comprising laterally cutting the strips transported from the impression cylinder into a plurality of the body blanks.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a three-piece can body blank after it has been printed and formed into cylinders, according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic plan view of a production line for cutting and printing individual can body blanks according to the present invention.

3 is a front view of the printing press shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 includes a body blank feed and discharge conveyor,
FIG. 4 is a partial schematic isometric view of the portion of the printing press shown in FIG. 3.

5 is a detailed view of the portion of FIG. 3 surrounded by an oval marked V, showing the inking unit.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the printing press shown in FIG. 3 in the area where the rim of the printing cylinder meets the inking unit blanket cylinder.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the portion of FIG. 6 enclosed by a circle labeled VII, showing the registration pins of the printing plate in the printing plate cylinder.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an ultraviolet lamp unit.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view from below of the impression cylinder shown in FIG. 4, with only one clamp shown.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the body blank feed conveyor with the portion of the impression cylinder shown in FIG.

11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the infeed conveyor and body blank clamp assembly shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Body 2 Joint 3 Splitter 4 Sheet 9 Main Body Blank 13 Printing Press 14 Printing Cylinder 18 Ink Unit 20 Frame 32 Main Body Blank 35 Printing Plate Cylinder

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Cieldon Osiev 60062 North Brutsk Windsorlein 2507 (72) Inventor Zyong Zie Matsugrail 60305 Riverf Orest Clinton Place 609 (72) Inventor Robert Jay Petry, Illinois, Illinois 60453 Oak Lawn South Kenneth 10916

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method of forming a metal body blank suitable for being formed in a container body, printed in a plurality of colors, comprising: (a) cutting a sheet of the metal into a plurality of the body blanks; b) transporting the body blanks to a printing cylinder and sequentially fixing each of the body blanks; and (c) sequentially passing the first inking unit to carry the fixed body blanks. Applying a first color ink to the body blank by rotating the cylinder; and (d) rotating the impression cylinder to sequentially pass through the first curing device to carry the fixed body blank. Thereby at least partially curing the first color ink applied by the first ink unit, and (e) from the first curing device to the second ink unit. Applying the second color ink to the main body blank by rotating the printing cylinder to sequentially carry the fixed main body blank on the cartridge.
(F) at least partially the second color ink applied by the second inking unit by rotating the impression cylinder to carry the stationary body blank sequentially through a second curing device. Curing, and (g) sequentially releasing the body blank from the impression cylinder and transporting the body blank. 2. An apparatus for producing a printed metal plate adapted to be formed into a container, (a) a cutter for cutting a metal sheet into a plurality of substantially flat plates, and (b). A printing press for printing an image on each of the plates, (i) a rotary printing cylinder adapted to carry each of the plates in a generally circular path, and (ii) around the perimeter of the printing cylinder. Is installed in the
The impression cylinder carries the sheet under each of the inking units, each of the inking units comprising a plurality of stationary inking units adapted to apply an ink image to the plate; and (iii) the impression cylinder. A plurality of curing devices for curing the ink applied by the ink units disposed around the perimeter of, one of the curing devices being disposed adjacent to each of the ink units, A printing press having a plurality of curing devices carrying the plate under each of the curing devices. 3. A printing press for printing an image on a metal container body blank prior to forming the body blank into a cylinder, the image being formed from a plurality of colors, wherein: a) a support. And b) a plurality of inking units arranged around the support, each of the inking units using UV curable ink to print a portion of the image in a specific color on the metal body blank. A plurality of inking units adapted to be applied to, and c) an ultraviolet lamp for each of the inking units disposed around the support, each of the lamps being adjacent to each of the inking units. An ultraviolet lamp disposed in a d) and d) rotatably mounted on the support so as to carry the plate in a circular path that substantially passes through each of the inking unit and the lamp. A combined printing cylinder whereby the portion of the image applied to the body blank in each one of the colors and the portion of the image in another color of the color to the body blank. A printing press that is at least partially cured prior to application. 4. A printing press for printing an image on a metal container body blank prior to forming the body blank into a cylinder, the image being formed from a plurality of colors in: a) a support. B) a plurality of inking units arranged around the support, each of the inking units being adapted to apply a portion of the image to the metal body blank for printing in a particular color A plurality of inking units; c) a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on the support and adapted to carry the plate in a circular pass sequentially through each of the inking units; d) the printing cylinder. A plurality of clamps disposed around the perimeter of each of the clamps, each clamp being adapted to secure a first portion of each of the body blanks to the impression cylinder. Printing press comprising a plurality of clamps, and a magnet assembly adapted to secure the second portion of each e) body blank 該刷 Ri cylinder. 5. A method suitable for forming a metal body blank that is printed in a plurality of colors and formed on a container body, comprising the steps of: a) forming metal strips; and b) printing the strips. Transporting to a cylinder, and c) rotating the impression cylinder to carry the strips underneath the first inking unit, thereby causing a plurality of first color inks to be placed on the strips arranged vertically. Sequentially applying images; d) rotating the impression cylinder from the first inking unit to a first curing device to sequentially carry the strip portions on which the first image is applied, At least partially curing the first color ink image, and e) carrying a strip portion to which the first ink image is sequentially applied from the first curing device to a second ink unit.
Sequentially applying a plurality of second color ink images substantially juxtaposed to the first image by rotating the impression cylinder; f) sequentially from the second ink unit to a second curing device. The second cylinder is rotated by rotating the printing cylinder to carry the strip portion coated with the first and second images.
A method comprising at least partially curing a colored ink image, and g) transporting the strip from the impression cylinder.